Written by Edwin Waugh, Rochdale (1819-1890)

The Garland

Before the dawn 'at mornin' began to stir in t'sky,
I donned mysel' to wander afore the dew had dried,
To wander through the gay green wood,reet early I did rove,
I couldn't sleep upon mi bed, for thinkin' of mi love.

Down in the bonny dingle where sometimes we did stray,
Our vows of love to mingle at close of summer day,
It was there where oft among her hair, flowers of spring I wove,
An' I sat me down to think upon, the girl that I do love.

An' it's there I made mi garland, mi darlin' for to don,
An' the posies that were in it, they shine'd like the sun,
The dewy posies wild an' free, all in the leafy grove,
Well they caused me for to think upon, the girl that I do love.

Aye the cowslip and the speedwell, with a dewdrop in it's e'e,
An' the wild rose an' the bluebell, they blend so bonnylee
An' the honeysuckle, wandering wild, with violets blue I wove,
Oh! it breaks mi heart to think upon, the girl that I do love.

An' when I poo'd mi posies, the small birds they did sing, (pulled)
An' when I wove mi garland they made the woods to ring!
On every tree the wild birds glee rang through that leafy grove,
An' I came away, at dawn of day, still thinking of mi love.

Oh, the morning sun she rises to cheer mi heart's delight,
An, the silvery moon she wanders among the clouds at night,
An' the twinkling stars, that look so fine, all in the heavens above,
At work or play, bi night an' day, I'm thinking of mi love!

A version of this song was recorded by Harry Boardman on his LP " A Lancashire Mon" to his own tune. The author wrote it to be sung to "Cupid's Garden". (NB typed from memory, there might be a few mistakes)